Flight Test Results of an Adaptive RF Front-End for Multi-Band SDR in Avionics

This paper presents an in-depth evaluation of the reconfigurable and agile RF front-end (RFFE) architecture, previously demonstrated in laboratory settings through real-world flight tests. The study aims to validate the practical performance, reliability, and robustness of the RFFE architecture, developed in conjunction with software-defined radios (SDRs) by the LASSENA lab, in dynamic aviation environments. By transitioning from controlled lab conditions to actual flight scenarios, we assess the ability of the architecture to adapt to varying signal requirements, frequencies, and protocols. Preparation for flight situations includes temperature resilience, vibration tolerance, and mobility tests. An initial airport ground test will be conducted to ensure the system’s readiness before actual flight deployment. Key performance metrics such as spectrum utilization, signal integrity, receiver performance, and transmitter linearity are examined to ensure compliance with stringent aviation safety and performance standards. The results provide critical insights into the operational benefits and potential enhancements of the RFFE architecture, supporting its adoption in aviation and potentially other fields requiring high communication and system efficiency levels.